Brandon Roy is one of the biggest what-ifs in NBA history and the little we did get to see of his career left us as NBA fans wanting so much more. Even with Minnesota, Cassell also owns a space in a potential worst trade of all time discussion, being moved, along with a first-round pick, from Minnesota in 2005 to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Marko Jaric and Lionel Chalmers. Seth Curry . 1 seed Mavericks in 2007 but his career was so much more than one season. That was the year Richardson became a solid 3-point shooter, as he nailed 38.4% of his threes. Bibby's best season came in 2006 where he averaged 21.1 PPG and 5.4 APG for the Kings squad that finished with a 44-38 record. The following season it came to fruition as Billups not only led the Pistons to a title but won Finals MVP in the process. . For those of us that remember ONeal at his peak, we remember an undersized two-way beast for the Indiana Pacers who helped them nearly capture a championship in his heyday. Miller would go on to play 5 more seasons with Sacramento. Press Esc to cancel. Not related to Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal was one of the best big men in the NBA during his time. He played one final season in Phoenix in 2011-12 before retiring. Of course, we couldnt account for everyone who deserves to be on this list, but below are the most underrated NBA players of the early 2000s. Think about Dennis Johnson of the 1980sthe dude was a five-time All-Star and a Finals MVP. Redd returned the following season but re-injured the same knee tearing the ACL again. The assessment was based on how players performed during this decade and this decade ONLY (2000-2009). 4. Roy was destined to be a star from his first season in the NBA. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. While you probably wouldnt be able to get away with that nickname in the NBA today, it still earns him an easy placement on this list. 1) Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks. Tracy McGrady. Of course, there was Tim Duncan and the Spurs who captured 3 championships of their own in the 2000s after winning one in 1999 the year after MJ left the NBA. Agent 0 going into L.A. and dropping 60 on the Lakers. Still, you dont hear much talk about the years the Clippers might have been the championship favorite. Scotty Bags. Many superstars surfaced at this time but perhaps none bigger than Shaquille ONeal and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers who led them to 3 straight titles at the beginning of the decade. Over time, Kidd improved as a shooter and scorer, so by the year 2000, he was arguably the most well-rounded point guard in the NBA. His most valuable skill? Doug Christie. He was a scorer, plain and simple. He would improve his scoring over the next few seasons, boosting his scoring to a career-high 23.2 PPG during the 2006 season. Of course, there was Tim Duncan and the Spurs who captured 3 championships of their own in the 2000s after winning one in 1999 the year after MJ left the NBA. 6,418 votes. Out of all the players on this list, O'Neal was the most talented big man and also one of the most underrated players during his time. Honestly, call him the Russian Lebron James. Thread Tools. Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. Career Stats: 17.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG, Career Achievements: 3x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. You can reach him via email:aaroncmansfield@gmail.com. That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. Theres been a lot of former all-stars. By looking at individual statistics, team impact, and skills during their era; we have compiled a ranked list of the best stars who went underappreciated during their time. Andre Miller was never an MVP candidate or even an All-Star but he was quietly one of the better point guards during the 2000s. A team dwarfed by the sheer size, glamor, and continued excellence in the shared city. Portland athletes have been underrated for a long time, sometimes due to geography, but also because of the early 2000s, which saw casual fans turned away from the NBA team after the ill-fated "Jail Blazers" era that was marred by a string of player arrests, untimely technical fouls, and disastrous playoff meltdowns. He had a sweet jumper and smooth release that he could knock down from anywhere in front of half-court. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed ONeal into an MVP candidate. Davis recorded 3 different seasons with at least 20.0 PPG and 2.0 SPG as one of the more dynamic point guards in basketball. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. Like many on this list, the 2003-04 season was the best of Rons career. He could dominate the game on both sides from the low block, he possessed a turnaround jumper that was as unblockable as DIrks fadeaway, and he was a defensive nightmare for opponents nightly. I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. He's got some recognition since then, but he still isn't as respected as he should. ONeal is an excellent example of the circumstances most players on these lists go through during their careers. Mookie Blaylock. Players like Russell Westbrook, John Wall, and Kyle Kuzma each get the overrated label due to playoff failures, huge contracts, or just being talked up more than their games can back up. We dont even have to look at career averages or anything. For the first few seasons of his NBA career, Billups bounced around until he found a home with the Detroit Pistons in 2003. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. The Clippers have always been the runt of LA. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. And when it comes to the 2000s, well, there are plenty of guys who deserved more love. For some reason, as time has gone on, fans refer to Zydrunas Ilgauskas as one of those garbage players that LeBron James dragged to the NBA Finals early in his career. Elton Brand was a special big man on offense and on the boards, and he was one of the most underappreciated players during his time. Unfortunately for Rahim, he will be remembered for being the centerpiece of this lopsided trade that sent Pau Gasol to Memphis, where he would quickly *not*become one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. DeRozan may be cementing his status as the best player in franchise history in front of our eyes, but say he belongs in the MVP conversation and most NBA fans will laugh at you. His three hasn't been falling . Over NY's past three games, Mitchell Robinson is 16-for-16 from the floor & averaging 11.3 points and 12.0 rebounds Per @bball_ref, he is the first player in NBA history to record a double . With over a decade of writing articles for sports sites, Eddie Bitar has a unique writing voice that shines through in the latest collection of NBA-related content that captures trade rumors, power rankings, and team news. He played in just 18 games and then 10 more in 2010-11. He would average a double-double over the next 4 seasons, and by his third season, he was a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. George Hill . Well focus primarily on his most impactful seasons, from 2001-2004. The sample size doesn't include the '87 playoffs because McHale was playing on a broken foot. He finished 3rd in MVP voting and was arguably the best two-way player in basketball. These players tend to make their presence felt different than your average superstar, whether . But for now, Lillard looks like the young PG with the most potential to grow into the best point guard of his era. He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. Here are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the entire 2000s. In 2009, he earned the 2nd All-Star selection of his career when he averaged 17.7 PPG and helped lead Orlando to the NBA Finals. Sure. Roy was impossible to keep up with in isolation. Here's a ranking of the NBA's top teammate duos throughout league history. Yet, not all players who saw action at the NBA, the biggest basketball league in the world, are well-known. 5. Andre Miller was never an MVP candidate or even an All-Star but he was quietly one of the better point guards during the 2000s. Arguably the coolest aspect of Kirinlenkoss career is his nickname, AK-47, referencing his Russian heritage and jersey number. As a two-way player and one of the best athletes to ever play the game, Richardson was a gem in his prime. One of the best dunkers in NBA history, Richardson's athleticism often took eyes away from his all-around game. Fat Lever (#14) was Russell Westbrook before Westbrook. 5y. He could put the ball on the floor and get by defenders relatively easily and it made him a true three-level threat. He was named an NBA All-Star in 2004 after averaging 21.7 points and a career-best 5.0 rebounds a game. You have the heartbreaking series between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2002 Western Conference Finals series. Finley played on two of the premier Western Conference powerhouses over the decade, starting with Dallas and moving to San Antonio after being waived. Redd was also a member of the 2008 U.S. mens Olympic basketball team that won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Beijing. In 2002, O'Neal won the NBA's Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG. Davis recorded 3 different seasons with at least 20.0 PPG and 2.0 SPG as one of the more dynamic point guards in basketball. As of early May, James and . Cassell would then lead the way to another franchise turnaround, bringing the Clippersthat featured two players on this listto their then-most successful season in franchise history. Photo: Paul Popper. He averaged a career-high of 26.7 points a game during the 2006-07 season. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. Billups finished his career a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection, and a 3x All-Defensive Team selection. I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. Andrei Kirilenko was a prototype of what the modern-day NBA landscape now values above all else; versatility. 8 Most Expensive Kevin Garnett Basketball Cards, Title 15 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World. Magic Johnson. He averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.0 APG on 45.6% shooting in just 57 games. CJ McCollum voted most underrated player since 2000. Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports, Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x Rookie of the Year, 3x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection. He led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. Here is our list of 12 of the most underrated players in the NBA today. He was the baby Bryant from across the LA freeway. , Owner: (Registered business address: Germany), processes personal data only to the extent strictly necessary for the operation of this website. Not only did he start playing precisely at the starting point of the decade after being selected 1st overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 1999 draft, but he proceeded to be one of the most under-the-radar players during his career. He was a two-way mastermind who had a knack for coming through in a games biggest moments that earned him the nickname Mr. In the Finals against the Lakers, Billups averaged 21.0 PPG, 5.2 APG, and 3.2 RPG in the 5-game series to win the championship. Today, we honor the stars whose legacies have become underappreciated as time has gone on and we get further and further away from their playing days. Redd had led Ohio State to a Final Four as a sophomore and was known as a proven scorer averaging 21.9, 19.5, and 17.5 points per game in his three seasons in Columbus. Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG. Roy attempted a comeback in 2013 but lasted just 5 games before calling it quits for good. Career Stats: 14.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG. The 5 most overrated players in Madden NFL 23, including the Eagles' Darius Slay Jr. View 5 items Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Can you name any other player who only made the all-star game once in his career? But how many of those players make their first all-star team at 34 years old? For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine O'Neal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. After two more seasons, he would win 6th Man of the Year with the Dallas Mavericks in 2004. Three others that could be argued at a higher level (they do get plenty of respect, but perhaps not enough) are Vuc, Brogdon, and Jrue. Wallaces impact was truly measured when he was acquired by the Detroit Pistons midway through the 2004 season. Roy was impossible to keep up with in isolation. 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Answer (1 of 3): Dirk Nowitzki. Trevor Ariza. Anyways. That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. He was never the same. As the all-time and single-season leader in technical fouls, how could he not? He would become an All-Star once more in 2005 averaging 16.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 2.1 BPG. Malcolm Brogdon might have the quietest 20/6/6 stat line in the NBA. You have Kevin Garnetts MVP and Western Conference Finals season with the Wolves. He consistently made a significant impact early on with the Vancouver Grizzlies and was the leading point guard on some really good Sacramento Kings lineups in the early 2000s. This season encapsulates why Redd isnt any higher on this list. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. Forgive and forget and put Jermaine ONeal in the Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame. At his peak, Billups was a serious threat as a scorer, passer, and defender who was the perfect point guard to lead the Detroit Pistons to the 2004 NBA championship. Unfortunately, but very reasonably, he will also be remembered for one incident above any other when he choked his coach P.J Carlesimo.Sprewell was suspended from the NBA for an entire season after playing for the Golden State Warriors for 14 games. Miller played 14 seasons in the NBA, mainly for the Kings and Bulls. O'Neal also won the Most Improved Player of the Year Award that same year. The following season in 2002-03, he was one of the best seasons of the decade for ANY player. Wilt Chamberlain. Besides the obvious suspension from the Malice incident, Jermaine didnt reach a higher level because of a lack of real playoff success and a subpar field goal percentage for a big man. Roy attempted a comeback in 2013 but lasted just 5 games before calling it quits for good. He drove, he shot, and he played a little selfishly. Lewis retired with the Miami Heat in 2014, one year after adding an NBA championship to his already impressive resume. By his fourth season with the Bucks, Allen was gone and Redd was a starter. Lewis is considered one of the best second options ever for his time with both the Seattle SuperSonics next to Ray Allen and in Orlando with Dwight Howard. He ended his career with a well-deserved championship with the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. Playing for a middling Milwaukee Bucks squad throughout the 2000s, he led the team and was a fantastic all-around scorer. That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. Personally, I believe it is a crime that Wallace is still not a basketball Hall Of Famer. In the 2000 NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks got lucky when Ohio States Michael Redd fell all the way into the second round. O'Neal had a very slow start to his career, before blossoming into an All-Star in his 6th season. 18 pick in the 2020 draft, there were high hopes for Richardson's career. In a season sandwiched between two non-playoff years, Elton Brand and the Clippers lost in seven games to the Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) Personally, I believe it is a crime that Wallace is still not a basketball Hall Of Famer. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. During his 3rd season in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miller led the NBA in assists with 10.9 APG to go with 16.5 PPG and 1.6 SPG. The 2000s-era NBA was one of the more bizarre representations of basketball one could imagine. Shaq and Chuck don't have the defense, although O'Neal did finish 3rd in the 2000 DPOY. Lewis was one of the NBAs top shooters for years with 8 seasons ranked in the Top 20 for 3-pointers made. Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. He would become an All-Star once more in 2005 averaging 16.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 2.1 BPG. Despite sharing the court with Ray Allen early on, Redd carved his own path and should be revered for his unbelievable scoring at his peak. Ronald Koeman - Barcelona. He averaged 21.2 points a game that season and would never be the same. Me and other NBA analysts and NBA content creators have said it before and we will keep on saying it, Robert Covington is the DEFINITION of the NBA 3&D player. In nine of his last ten NBA seasons, James has scored at least 2,000 points. He is an NBA History buff that details the game from the 1960s all the way up to today. By 2003, Ilgauskas was an All-Star and averaged 17.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG while adding 1.9 BPG. Mike Bibby is one of the most popular and respected point guards in NBA history. 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Averaging 16.0 PPG, he is one of the most recognizable offensive players for the Clippers over the last 20 years. 10 James Lofton. 3. That could not be further from the truth as Ilgauskas was a solid two-way big man who helped LeBron James adapt to the NBA. His best statistical season came in 2006-07, with a career-high 26.7 points per game. 25. With his ability to both score and pass the ball, Miller was must-watch television whenever he was in town. This reputation caused many to forget just how imp[actful Wallace was on the basketball court. Getting to the free throw line. Career Stats: 13.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.7 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x Most Improved Player, 6x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection. At his peak, he had an argument for the best big man in basketball at a time when Tim Duncan and Shaq were still in the league. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Before this career year, Cassell bounced around as a competent floor general, never finding a true home with a team and playing for eight franchises over a nineteen-year career. Beginning with a Toronto Raptor, and ending with one, Gary Trent Jr. is easily one of the most exciting and most underrated players in the NBA today. Career highlights and awards * NBA champion (2011) * NBA Finals MVP (2011) * NBA Most Valuable Player (2007) * 14 NBA All-Star (2002-2012, 2014, 2015, 2019) * 4 All-NBA First Team (2005-2007, 2009) * 5 All-NBA Second Team (2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011) . Peja Stojakovic is one of the better perimeter scorers of the 2000s decade. Due to the emergence of other superstars like Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, LeBron James, and Tracy McGrady, many other solid players who had massive success in the decade have flown under the radar as time has gone on. Were discussing the most underrated NBA players of the 2000s. Required fields are marked *. Gilbert Arenas. He was selected only behind guards Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd, which is the greatest single accomplishment in his career. Injury replacements, lifetime achievement awards, and many players that might not entirely deserve it. #6 of 290. He was the first NBA player to bring in the big balls dance celebration, injuring his groin. He was so fast with his first step off of the dribble and even faster once he got headed toward the basket. With the trade of superstar Ray Allen, the Bucks fell off as one of the NBAs top teams, but the leading role was filled by Redd, who went on to average 21.7 points en route to his only All-Star appearance. He was also a big reason the Cavaliers were able to make the 2007 NBA Finals, being LeBron James favorite option on offense. 1. 7 min read. During his 3rd season in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miller led the NBA in assists with 10.9 APG to go with 16.5 PPG and 1.6 SPG. Schrempf is often overlooked and considered one of the most underrated players in NBA history. But if the languid laziness of a typical baseball game was overrated by the purists who want to keep the three-and-a-half-hour games, it was underrated by the people who forgot just how much the . One of the most valuable roleplayers in the early part of the decade, Doug Christie, was a deadeye shooter that brought it at an all-defensive level on the other end. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. He would average 20.0 PPG or more for the next 3 seasons and shot near or better than 40.0% from three during that time. Injuries were a concern throughout Pejas career, especially in the second half of his NBA lifespan. Miller also had an All-Star season with the Pacers in 2003 where he averaged 13.1 PPG and 8.3 RPG. Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports, Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x Rookie of the Year, 3x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection. That could not be further from the truth as Ilgauskas was a solid two-way big man who helped LeBron James adapt to the NBA. Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. Shaquille O'Neal. Elton Brand is the most underrated star of the 2000s because he managed to have 2 All-Star Seasons after being drafted No.1 in the 1999 Draft.